Department of Motor Vehicles

Make a reservation. !! I made at 10:45 reservation and was out by 11:00. If I had to sit there and wait with the million people that were waiting I think I would have lost it. The workers I encountered were helpful and pleasant. No complaints.

I went on a rainy day to get my learning drivers permit and the wait was no longer then an hour. i was expecting to be here for hourssssss. luckily i was called, they took my picture, i took the test. the wait after the test was so quick. i paid for my permit and was once again expecting to pay more. all i paid was $ 90. i was so pleased with this dmv. & i was also able to go to work after. btw i came in at 9am and left at 10:30.

Made reservation online for 2pm and I arrived by 14 5pm and I was out the door by 2pm. Best thing they created was that…

HORRIBLE!!! I took my permit test and passed and so far I have to keep going back to the same dmv because they can’t process the picture to give me my permit. This is such a huge inconvenience to me because I am waiting on that so I can get lessons before I have to go back to college and work and won’t have time for lessons. These people need to fix this issue.

I’ve been here a couple of times these past few months. The waiting time is not horribly bad as long as you come in early. In fact, I was able to take my permit exam right away but I did arrive just minutes before they opened (830AM). As far as the service itself, not sure what is expected from a DMV office — regardless of the location. Everyone seemed to have attitudes but I’m going to go ahead and blame the fact that it was barely opening hour and people were already rushing in like there were giveaways in there or something. Nobody wants to deal with that. I strongly recommend that you bring in any forms already filled out, this will help you an awful lot (avoid the big customer service line). Also, as soon as you walk in, make sure to grab a service ticket. The downside? it’s in the middle of nowhere in Queens and there is NO (free) PARKING LOT.
If you live around, I’d recommend this location — as long as you can get there early.

My biggest tip is to MAKE A RESERVATION ONLINE at the DMV website, choose a time slot and arrive on time (or a little early) This is how I was able to be in and out of the DMV in an hour flat !
I made a reservation for a non driver ID for 9:15 AM and arrived a little before 9:00 AM. After scanning my ticket I was seen 10 minutes later by the first person to take photo 30 minutes later I paid for my ID and got my temporary ID with a different person.
I had a pretty positive experience here– I’m not gonna call the staff her super duper friendly but everyone down to the security guards were professional and cordial at all times. I would return to this location again (with a reservation, if I had to)

Ghetto, incompetent fat-​cat employees thriving off the public dollar. Where are 95% of these workers recruited from, The Projects? Welfare-​to-​work programs? The majority of the employees at this location are seriously the meanest, nastiest, and most vile group of people I have ever encountered in my entire life. There’s this one rude woman that looks like Bubba (from Forrest Gump) working at the section where people have to register to get their permit. I saw her literally slam a Chinese guy against a wall and shout curses at him because he didn’t really understand English (well, I’m sure he understood English since he passed the exam for the permit… he probably just didn’t understand HER version of English). Was that even called for? Another woman at the counter (she’s bald) was mumbling a bunch of expletives at a Bengali couple because they were having trouble understanding her directions. Was that necessary? It’s not even like the workers here speak standard American English anyway (sorry but Ebonix is NOT proper English!)
The only person here that was polite at all was the guy handing out tickets.
Thank goodness I can now take care of things online. If I do need to actually go to the DMV in the future, I’ll just go to another branch. But this location? Never again!

It’s the DMV. Yeah.

Recent visit was to attain the latest NYS Driver’s Manual booklet as I was in this area. Aija, the general queue was an eternity like waiting for the sky to fall down! Apparently a DMV staff was controlling the queue whom I intervened to request for this misery Driver’s Manual booklet. A simple request for a simple girl is all I require in order to attain a Learner’s Permit. AIJA!

Get ready to stand on a line that curls around the block twice! However, they see you very quickly once you get inside. ⁹⁄₁₀ you will encounter a real douche bag though; Very unfriendly and flat out disrespectful! I literally had to ask an employee once if she was was having a stroke, as she kept rolling her eyes to the back of her head and sucking her teeth– ugh!

Both times I have visited this DMV have actually been pretty quick and easy! I expected the DMV in NYC to resemble that one Seinfeld episode, but it was not bad at all!
We showed up right when they opened and saw a mob of people outside waiting. It looked like a line for a rock concert … I got a little worried but parked anyways in the lot nearby and went in.
The line was long but it moved quickly. They put you into an «information» line first where basically they tell you what forms to fill out and give you a number. They have 15 or so windows so the numbers go by really quickly.
Both times I’ve been there I messed up and forgot one paperwork or another, but everyone was super nice about it. My drivers license photo even turned out alright and didn’t resemble a hairy troll! Amazing!
All in all I’d budget at least an hour to get in and out, maybe a little more in case you have to get forms faxed to you or you forget a form or something. (please note that if you are changing your out of state plate to NYC, you need insurance that is dated for the EXACT date you are there, not just a date that falls in the valid period — everyone was sitting in the bodega downstairs calling their insurance cos to fax the info…)

Why, oh why? This is my second and most unnecessary trip back to the DMV. «Albany» had trouble with their «systems» and I had to come back to retake my photo. In any other state I know you just walk out with your ID? Whats the dealio?
I was dreading this trip to apply for my NY State ID, especially because I was told it was in a not-​so-​great part Queens. I walked in 30 minutes prior to closing and the lines were actually not bad at all. The staff were hilarious — felt like it was Madea’s Trip To the DMV or something. Everyone was surprisingly helpful and friendly and I was in and out in 20 minutes. Ok by me.

My recent experience at this DMV kind of spoiled me. Since I had Black Friday off I decided to wake up early and take care of changing the address on my permit finally. I actually ended up showing up around 11:30am but managed to make it in and out in 40 minutes. There weren’t many people, but I didn’t have to make much of a line and the staff was actually helpful and friendly.
The only thing that annoyed me was this guy who had been there for a few minutes but everytime he heard the ding for a new number being called he would jump and check to see if it was him, as if he was really going to be called anytime soon. I don’t expect such a breezy process next time, I know I got lucky.

There are few things in life people dread more than going to the DMV. These include:
— Going to the Dentist
— Going to the the opera (guys)
— Going shopping during the holidays
— Riding the train during rush hour
— Listening to your GF/​Wife during a game (oh no he didn’t!)
…Well, you get the idea. I recently had to visit the DMV (cue sad violin), and was absolutely NOT looking forward to the long lines, loud uncontrolled kids, paperwork, and… yeah, you get the picture.
Color me shocked when I arrived and discovered that this place had changed a lot. A LOT! They’re far more automated and organized. They move far more quicker, and they use very modern systems.
I was expecting a 3 hour wait (or more), but instead was in and out of there in 1.5 hours (which by NYC standards, is H-​U-​G-​E).
They still have a loooooooooooong way to go though. A long way.
— There’s still the rude workers.
— Even if it’s reduced, the wait time is STILL ridiculously longer than it needs to be.
— There STILL needs to be less lines that you have to visit before actually getting to the line that can actually help you get going.
============================
**NOTE:** Things do indeed go much faster when you fill out the forms at the DMV website, print them out, and bring them in (along with the necessary IDs and fees). People not having their right IDs or incorrect paperwork is what usually causes the delays the guy told me.
So glad I came here with everything I needed (the requieed paperwork I mean), ’cause as much as they’ve improved… I do NOT want to have to come back anytime soon, lol!

Drivers and pedestrians beware: I am now the proud owner of a valid driver’s license. We’re gonna share the streets but this time I’m behind a wheel.
It only took me a few months.
If I had only known to avoid the Herald Square location for a license switch, maybe I would have had my NY state license last year. My advice is to avoid the Herald Square location at all costs. Why put yourself through unnecessary misery, frustration, and disappointment when you don’t have to?
The line at this location was a 10^th of the line in Manhattan, the people were calm and also very helpful. Why the staff at Herald Square could not help me in the same way I was helped in Jamaica, is aggravating.
I call laziness and power trips.
Overall, I give great thanks to the crew here for being efficient, able to explain what needs to be done, and for being very patient.
Free Zipcar rides at your own risk! Next up: Forklift License. Where can I get one of those?

People listen up. DMV is actually a very efficient system when you understand that a lot of rules and procedures have to be implemented to prevent fraud. If people would just stop complaining about WHY there are so many rules but instead just listen to the knowledgeable DMV staff, then things will run smoothly with all your ducks in a row. Adults should also act like adults and not act like they need their diapers changed when someone tells them no. Real talk.

We all know that saying «I have to go to the DMV» is pretty much equivalent to, «I need to go get a root canal without anesthesia.» However, is it necessary for these employees to ENJOY seeing you in pain?
On my visit here a few weeks ago my goal was to a. change my MA license over to NY, and b. register my car in NY. I had gone over the website over and over, trying to decipher all the forms of ID and documentation I would need, and I thought I was prepared. I had pre-​filled out the forms I had printed out, and I was ready and armed. I walked in early on a Friday morning, and sailed right up to the counter. NO line?! I thought this was my lucky day.
As I approached the surly girl at the counter with that «my life is miserable and it’s all YOUR fault» look written all over her face, I tried to soften her up with a nice «Good Morning,» and told her what I needed. She didn’t even take the lollipop that was hanging from her mouth out when she asked me for my social security card.
Now I have had a social security number for my entire life, but just never had the piece of paper to prove it. Yet I had my passport with me, as well as my still-​valid MA license. I have never had a problem before, but she clearly delighted in telling me I didn’t have what I needed.
Okay, fine– on to the registration. I produced the bill of sale and accompanying forms. «Where’s the title?» she asks, lollipop bobbing. I explained to her that I didn’t have my actual title yet since I still had one car payment left and the bank had not mailed it to me. Her delight only grew as she pushed all my piles of papers and ID’s back to me, telling me I couldn’t go any further without a title or a certified letter from Chase.
Now clearly this girl does not make the rules, so I can’t fault her for me needing to provide more to get my license than I did to get my actual social security card (which I did successfully the next week), nor for the fact that the website is written in such a confusing manner that it’s nearly impossible to figure out what you’re supposed to do. Or that if you call to try to speak to a person all you get is a recording that is basically reading the same copy that’s on the website. But is it really necessary to take pleasure in the misfortunes of others? How about an, «Oh, unfortunately you will need xyz to continue. Here, let me give you the proper form. Have a nice day.»
Basically, avoid this location at all costs. The waits at the Flushing location might be longer, but the people are MUCH nicer, and actually try to help you instead of clearly fantasizing about jabbing their lollipop stick into your eye.

Some observations about the DMV:
1) Is it a prerequisite to be a complete toolbag to work here?
2) Why does the place always have long lines, Monday morning or Friday afternoon, the place is always crammed with people.
3) Why do I have to pay to park in the parking lot. As a driver, you have no other options really besides that lot. Its bad enough I am getting raped inside the building, do I need to get assaulted when I am trying to leave the scene of the crime too?
4) Am I the only one that is delighted by the fact that the internet has made it easier to avoid going here? I order everything online to be renewed. Yay me.
5) When a Unilocaler is trying to make it to 1,000 by January 1^st, does it make him look silly that he is reviewing a DMV site?
Oh wait ignore that fifth observation. Bye.